1
as in deceptive
given to or marked by cheating and deception
the commercial is a part of an underhanded PR campaign to whitewash the company's environmental record
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clandestine
undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others
an underhanded attempt at infiltrating the other party's headquarters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in underhand
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of underhanded
Liam Adams, Nashville Tennessean, 2 Sep. 2025
The offense never got on track, and the disappointment was only intensified when it was discovered that Houston used underhanded tactics to gain an advantage on opponents that season.
—Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 17 Aug. 2025
Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation As the new Undisputed WWE Champion, Cena has embraced his villainous side, retaining his title against stars like Randy Orton by using cheap shots and underhanded tactics.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
The union representing Southern California hospitality workers has accused a group of airlines and hotel businesses of using underhanded tactics in support of a petition to overturn a city ordinance boosting the minimum wage in Los Angeles.
—Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for underhanded
Adverb
Another state legislative proposal to allow public districts to hire school chaplains, which critics view as an underhanded attempt at evangelizing to students, has only succeeded in Texas and Florida.
—Liam Adams, Nashville Tennessean, 2 Sep. 2025
The offense never got on track, and the disappointment was only intensified when it was discovered that Houston used underhanded tactics to gain an advantage on opponents that season.
—Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 17 Aug. 2025
Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation As the new Undisputed WWE Champion, Cena has embraced his villainous side, retaining his title against stars like Randy Orton by using cheap shots and underhanded tactics.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
The union representing Southern California hospitality workers has accused a group of airlines and hotel businesses of using underhanded tactics in support of a petition to overturn a city ordinance boosting the minimum wage in Los Angeles.
—Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for underhanded
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underhanded
Adjective
-
State legislators and attorneys general should examine whether certain practices violate existing rules against unfair or deceptive trade practices.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Barrera plays Michelle, a deceptive character who will keep everyone guessing.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Joint operations by the Civil Police and the Health Surveillance Agency have led to the closure of four clandestine factories and the arrest of 41 people, according to a statement by the government of São Paulo.—
Alessandra Freitas,
CNN Money,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Instead of being purely driven by a life-changing amount of money, Carrie has feelings for Richard, having carried on a clandestine affair with him before their murder plot.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Each team will alternate tossing the bean bag underhand onto the board until all four bean bags are thrown.—
Anthony Gharib,
USA TODAY,
13 June 2023
-
Pitchers tossed underhand and no one wore gloves yet, resulting in smarting pain in the hands of catchers and first basemen.—
Jeff Suess,
The Enquirer,
29 Mar. 2023
Adjective
-
In audits by Guardio, Comet was tricked into making fraudulent purchases from fake sites—completing entire checkout flows without human verification.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Today’s legislation protects both animals and Californians by addressing fraudulent pet breeding and selling practices.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Get Ready: Katy Perry Has Released a Sneak Peek of Her New Song And the internet has receipts.—
Mehera Bonner,
Marie Claire,
15 Mar. 2017
Adjective
-
This shady ramble follows a beautiful stream to a gushing spring.—
Roger Naylor,
AZCentral.com,
10 Oct. 2025
-
With the story transposed to a tough sprawling prison in Marseille, one of France’s most multicultural cities, the protagonist is now a young African immigrant, serving time for drug smuggling, who is offered the protection of a powerful and shady French-Algerian businessman.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Checkmate has done lots of covert ops spy nonsense in comics throughout the years, and notable works with Batman on occasion.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Checkmate, which is another element that will continue in future DCU projects, is a covert watchdog agency.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Yet, the number of in-person days coming down the pipeline has been stealthily increasing.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
-
No cords or wires will be spilling out thanks to the organization slots at the back of this media unit that stealthily corral them at the back.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underhanded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underhanded. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share